Understand

Lynchburg, Virginia began in 1757 as a ferry town, fording traffic across the James River. The city is built on centuries of history, boasting strong connections to Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and other early American patriots. Because of the city's use by the Confederacy as a supply and hospital center, it served as a battlefield in the American Civil War. Lynchburg has been designated a portion of Virginia's Rail Heritage Region. Lynchburg's historic districts contain many beautiful homes from the 19th century.

Lynchburg's name is derived from its founder, John Lynch, who, at the age of 17, began a ferry service across the James River to facilitate travel to and from New London. He would later be responsible for the bridge which would make his ferry service obsolete. Despite common misconceptions, neither John Lynch nor Lynchburg is associated with the origination of term, "lynching," though it may have originated with John's brother, Charles.

Geography and climate

Lynchburg's nickname, the "City of Seven Hills," is very descriptive of the geography of the city. Though it refers most directly to the hills near where the city was founded, these hills extend far beyond the riverfront at the James River. The area includes much of Candlers Mountain.

Spring in Lynchburg is short-lived, often it is simply a period of wide fluctuation between mid-late winter and early-mid summer temperatures. Summers are humid and hot with temperatures generally reaching 90°F. Autumns are mild; temperatures stay somewhere between 50°F and 70°F. Once winter hits, temperatures will top out near freezing until February and, perhaps, beyond. Recently, winters have brought lots of snow to the Lynchburg area, bringing a total average of around 16 inches of snow per year.

Generally, storms will pass through over the course of a few hours, but rain systems without lightning and thunder will stick in Lynchburg for days at a time, lending to the nickname "Drenchburg." When there is wind in Lynchburg, it tends to be a very high wind. Unlike nearby areas, the warmest part of the day in this part of Virginia is generally 5PM.

Information Center

Get in

By car

Lynchburg currently does not have direct interstate access. Instead, you can get to Lynchburg by one of three major U.S. Routes: U.S. 29 North and South, U.S. 460 East and West, and U.S. 501 North and South. U.S. 501, however, is generally only convenient for travel from the immediate northwest and southeast.

U.S. 29 merges with U.S. 460 at a three-way junction. When traveling to Lynchburg via U.S. 29S, a right exit is required to continue along U.S. 29S / U.S. 460W.

Drivers arriving in Lynchburg should be wary of exiting onto Candlers Mountain Rd in particular. The timing of the first two intersections off U.S. 460 tend to trap drivers at the first intersection at Mayflower Dr.

By plane

Lynchburg Regional Airport (IATA: LYH) [37] is just south of the city limits alongside U.S. 29. Piedmont Airlines operates a US Airways Express regional flight between Lynchburg Regional Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport, NC. These flights operate on a schedule of approximately one plane arriving and departing every two hours. The airport offers a café with free wireless access.

By train

Kemper Street Station in Lynchburg is a stop on two Amtrak-operated passenger services: The Crescent Line and the Northeast Regional. The Crescent runs through Lynchburg on its way between New York City and New Orleans. For the Northeast Regional, Lynchburg serves as one of two southern terminals. The train continues from Lynchburg toward either Boston or Springfield, MA.

Get around

By car

Driving is perhaps the most convenient way to get around Lynchburg. Apart from the Downtown area, most of the city is not very friendly to pedestrian traffic.

The Lynchburg Expressway connects most of the major roadways in Lynchburg, intersecting and merging with the business segments of U.S. 29, U.S. 460, and U.S. 501.

The city limits are very clearly marked and are drawn in such a way that some places within the city are inaccessible without first traveling outside the city. For instance, the planned community at Wyndhurst can only be accessed via Enterprise Dr, which terminates in two different counties.

Also note that a few major roads change names with no clear indication as to where these changes take place. For examples, Lakeside Dr becomes Forest Rd, Fort Ave becomes Timberlake Rd, and Memorial Ave becomes Fifth St.

Several lots and limited on-street parking are available in Downtown Lynchburg. Two lots, the Midtown and Clay Street Parking Decks, are metered, operating on the mPARK system used in several other cities in the United States and abroad.

By bus

Greater Lynchburg Transit Company (GLTC) [38] offers bus services to the area. Single-direction trips are $1.50, and day and multi-day passes are available. Most routes run though the Plaza Shopping Center as a central hub and transfer point. Because of this layout, however, travel from some points in the city to others may take in excess of an hour in spite of being only a few miles away. GLTC also operates intracampus bus services to Liberty University. This service is free to students, faculty, and visitors.

Sandusky, 757 Sandusky Dr, ☎+1 434 832-0162 ([email protected], fax: +1 434 832-0182), [2]. This historic house served as the Union Headquarters during the Civil War Battle of Lynchburg. Sandusky is open by appointment.Adults $5, Seniors $3, Students $2. (37.380187,-79.196337)

Monument Terrace, 9th St and Church St. Commemorates Lynchburg citizens who fought and died in the Civil War, Spanish American War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. A 139-step staircase, the terrace's base is at the intersection of 9th and Church Streets and ends at Court Street in front of the Lynchburg Museum.(37.414089,-79.143660)

Do

Lynchburg's hills make the city great for hiking and recreational biking. Percival's Island Trail, which connects with the Blackwater Creek Trail, forms a 13.5 mile paved trail that travels through Lynchburg. The trail can be accessed at three major points off Washington St, Jefferson St, and Langhorne Rd. The trail follows both the James River and the Blackwater Creek. Off of the trail there are several hiking and mountain biking opportunities. Liberty University also maintains a mountain biking and hiking trail on Candlers Mountain.

Lynchburg hosts a minor-league professional baseball team as well as colleges with active athletics departments.

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, VA 24, Appomattox, VA 24522 (From U.S. 460, take 24E to U.S. 60), ☎+1 434 352-8987 ext 26 (fax: +1 434 352-8330), [35]. Site of the surrender of the Confederate States of America. Reduced fees after Labor Day and before Memorial Day.(37.37747,-78.79619)